Joan’s pov

There is a saying, “A happy wife equals a happy home.” But I never saw it that way. Instead, it had been “A happy husband equals a happy life and a happy home.”

My name is Joan Montclaire, and this is how I died.

First of all, my marriage to Harry Valmont was a freaking mistake, and it took me five months to realize it.

It was a long day, and I stayed out of the house carrying luggage and shopping bags for my mother- in-law, Sarah Valmont. I have always wanted her to love, notice me, and also give me that loving smile of a well-done child you are doing so well. Instead of that , I was met with yells, bad talks and maltreatment which I never saw coming, and every time I turn to complain to Harry, he says; “Don’t be like that, she’s just teaching you to be a good wife.”

Well, I'm so damn sure you are about to say….. “Where the fuck is her parents in all this…”

I'm sorry to break it to you, but they are dead— I'm an orphan— they died when I was eighteen, and right now you are looking at the only heir to the Montclaire fortune.

I had met my husband after high-school, he was so loving, way different from what he currently acts like, and I had moved in with my mother's sister who had no children and across the street was where my husband had lived.

We were both heirs but there was a vast difference, my aunt died when I was twenty leaving me with her own inheritance also.

Do the maths…..

My husband had proposed to me two months after my aunt's burial, I was so happy, joyful and elated. There was no sign of family drama, but the signs were there but I chose to turn a blind eye to it.

Now…

Five months into my marriage, I had finally begun to believe I was settling into my new life. Harry had suggested a merger with my family company which I agreed blindly and now my phone buzzed up with an email of completion.

I had just returned from a charity event with my mother—in–law, as usual, I've always been the bag holder and shopping bag mistress.

My car keys jiggled effortlessly as I let it lay down on the counter.

“Babe I'm home!!” I said, but my voice wasn't loud enough. I stretched effortlessly as I strode into the elevator in the living room.

I slowly pressed my room button and rested my back against the mirror wall behind me. It was a big house, using the stairs would have strained me further.

I arrived at my room floor as my heels echoed softly against the marble floor.

“Honey?” I called out softly.

But there was still no response. I smile to myself thinking, He must have fallen asleep, but the moment I opened the door. The room was empty and our bed untouched.

The house had three floors, and from what I could recall he had texted me earlier that he was going to be home early today.

My brows knitted together, as I pulled out my phone to call him. His phone began to ring, only to find it sitting on my vanity desk in the room.

Nevertheless, this assured me he was home, so I decided to check the guest wing on the second floor.

The elevator door opened up and I strode out towards the visitor's bedroom down the hallway, the door was slightly opened— and I smiled.

“Got you..” I whispered, now I tiptoed out of my heels, but the more I got closer, the more my heart sank in confusion.

Muffled screams, filled with sounds of giggle and movements.

I paused, hesitating —I had no idea if I was to go further or just turn back.

“But he never mentioned having a visitor over by the way’ My thoughts rang.

I decided to push further, and the moment I peeped through the slightly ajar space, my world collapsed.

I felt my breath choke, My heart beat paused like the world had stopped orbiting.

Right there on the bed were three bodies together tangled up in sheets and sweaty moist—my husband, his best man, and his sister.

They were having a freaking threesome.

My brain refused to process what my eyes were seeing. The room spun violently as my pulse roared in my ears.

I took a step backwards, my mind screaming at me to run, leave, to pretend like I had not seen a thing.

But fate had other plans.

The moment I turned to run, I crashed into a large vase on the side, sending a large crash sound throughout the second floor.

The moment I turned towards the door, my heart dropped drastically into my stomach. The door was now wide open, kicked open by my legs… it was a mistake.

My sister–In–law, Nova retreated first, she scrambled off the bed and grabbed a robe before rushing towards me. I quickly stood up and ran.

I ran straight into the elevator, and I began to press the buttons to take me up to the third floor, the moment I raised my head towards the already closing door, I sighted my husband behind Nova along with his best man they were wrapped in towels, but lucky for me the elevator door closed before they could reach me.

The moment the elevator door flew open on the third floor, my bare feet slapped against the marble floor as panic clawed up my throat. I rushed into the nearest room and dove into the closet, I pressed my trembling hands over my mouth as tears streamed silently down my face.

I heard the sound of footsteps, thinking they had no idea where I was, I slowly let out a sigh of relief.

Just then the closet door burst open, my heart sank.

My sister–in–law yanked me out violently by my hair as I struggled for her to let me go.

I screamed and clawed at her grip as I struggled to escape.

I ran blindly, desperate and terrified only to find myself trapped against the high balcony on the third floor living

area.

The cold night air whipped against my skin as my hair flew into my face. I looked back, my eyes turned, I have always been afraid of heights. Just then my husband approached me slowly, his voice was calm and soothing but it felt terrifyingly gentle.

“Joan,” he said softly, as if he was speaking to a frightened child. “You didn't see anything,right?”

My entire body trembled as I nodded my head. “I saw everything.”

His face hardened.

“You're imagining things, Joan,” he insisted.

I shook my head wildly, as sobs tore from my chest. “You'll be hearing from my lawyer and you,” I paused, turning towards Nova who already had her teeth digging into her nails.

“I'll tell everyone… I swear it.”

It felt like my words sealed my fate.

Harry immediately began to laugh, and Nova and Tom followed up.

My heart sank

“Everyone?” Harry repeated.

“Did she just say,everyone?” He asked, turning towards Nova and Tom as they both nodded.

“Look here woman, do you think this marriage was real?”

“What do you mean?” I whispered.

“She's so curious and I like it.” Nova chuckled.

“This is not real, just a charade and now that you've seen it all. I do not think there's any reason to keep you around… or am I wrong?” Harry blurted, turning towards the other two.

“You liar— I will tell everyone and I'll make sure your faces can't be seen in society!” I screamed.

Nova’s face immediately twisted with panic and rage and without warning, she shoved me hard against the railing.

My breath hitched, and for one split second, I saw the truth in their eyes.

They were never going to let me live.

I hung desperately, holding tight for dear life as my legs swung in the air beneath.

“Harry!!” I screamed.

I watched a smuggish smile appear on his face as he liked it closer to me.

“Please help me…pull me up, Harry, you know I'm afraid of heights.” I begged.

Harry stared at me for a brief second and suddenly burst into a loud laugh, his sister and his best man followed suit.

“Are you not going to call your lawyer anymore?” he asked, with a mockish tone.

Tears rolled down my eyes as I stared into his eyes. I sighed with relief as he grabbed my hand, which held tight on the railing and now I was hanging in midair with him as my support.

“Thank you.. “I whispered. “Now you can bring me up..” I added.

“Who said I was?” Harry muttered.

My heart sank as fear overtook my relief, “What do you mean?”

“Oh, you don't get it. Okay let me spell it out to you— I hate you so much, and by the way, I want to thank you for signing your company into my name. At least if you die now, I'll be left with your inheritance.” He smiled.

“What?”

“Oh darling..” Nova strode over, “No need to overthink it, you'll soon be dead, so why bother.” She laughed, digging her finger into his hair, just then the best man strode forward also and without words, he held up Harry's chin and kissed him deeply.

I felt my hand slip out of Harry's grip, as I begged.

“please.. please… don't let go please.”

Before I could stare back up, his hands had released mine, leaving me to fall freely. I watched his hand cup Nova’s ass as he turned to face her and they both kissed.

“Oops..”

Those were the last words I heard and then, my world vanished beneath my feet.

The wind roared past my ears as the mansion lights blurred into a streak of gold and white as I plummeted towards the ground.

Joan pov,

Darkness did not feel like death.

It felt like silence, like I was falling into deep water where no one could hear my screams.

Just then, I gasped.

Air rushed violently into my lungs as though I had been drowning, my eyes snapped open.

I was standing in front of a mirror, I wasn't covered in blood, no pain— just silk and bedazzledness.

It was a bridal boutique, this was the day before my wedding.

Right now the white lace Cascaded around my body, with pins tucked carefully at my waist, two women were adjusting the hem of my gown.

And right in front of me stood Nova.

She was smiling.

Damn, I was far more than irritated.

“You look so beautiful,” she said.

I almost laughed.

My eyes glared at her for a while, without me know, she noticed it. She tilted her head and asked softly, “Are you alright?”

“Yes. I am” I said nodding, before staring back at my reflection, but I wasn't. I stood there fuming in anger, I wanted to rip her to her bones.

Because, I had just recalled her hands shoving me off the balcony top in a flash second.

I recalled her nails which dug into my scalp as she dragged me, and the way she laughed while I fell.

Just then her phone rang, He lips slightly Curved up as she quickly excused herself, saying she'd be right back. I watched her back disappear through the boutique door which chimed as she rushed out.

The moment she stepped out, my chest tightened.

This was the day, in my previous life, exactly by this time, a broadcast had gone viral.

Harry's biggest business rival.

Louis Gonzalez.

My once upon a time high school heartthrob, my crush during my teenage days.

We both stopped talking after his family moved abroad, he had begged me to follow him but I couldn't and that was when I met Harry.

From what I could remember, he was supposed to get married today— to a lady his family handpicked themselves.

But from what I recall, she never showed up.

I remembered the news had exploded the next morning, with the paparazzi swarmed over his estate.

“Billonaire Groom stood up.”

This became the highlight of every paper for the month.

I remembered watching the broadcast On my honeymoon suite television, laughing lightly at the irony.

Little did I know that I was the real fool.

I glanced at the clock on the boutique wall.

The time matched, exactly.

A slow smile curved over my lips, as a full blown plan arched in my head.

I stepped down from the platform.

“I'll be back,” I said, still smiling at the saleswoman as I calmly handed her the gown.

The lady blinked in confusion but then she nodded.

I immediately walked towards the door and the moment I stepped outside. I saw Nova returning.

And right beside her— was Harry.

My stomach rumbled and twist.

I immediately turned and took another exit, I moved quickly before they could barely spot me.

“Not today..” I whispered.

Definitely not this life.

I hailed a cab immediately, gave the driver an address and from my calculations. He definitely should be at the marriage registrar.

The moment I arrived, the walk way was dry. It felt like no one was getting married. My eyes scanned around and finally it landed on two luxury cars which were lined up at the entrance.

The first car wasn't tinted but the second was, history was about to repeat itself and now it was kead for me to change his and also mine.

I spotted a man pacing near the sleek black car with the tinted windows. His face clearly looked irritated and tense.

I immediately walked straight towards the vehicle as though I belonged there and then, I knocked on the tinted glass.

The pacing man immediately stepped in front of me.

“Sorry, Miss. You need to leave. You are not supposed to be here.”

I smiled without moving.

“What do you mean, I'm not supposed to be here.”

“I guess you didn't get the news, but no one is getting married here today because my boss is getting married today.”

Power and status, what it can get you in this city.

I still had my smile on me, still insisting on moving towards the tinted glass car again.

“Madam, please, I do not want to have them bundle you out of here.”

“It's alright,”A voice sounded, as the dark window rolled down slowly.

The first thing I saw, was his jawline.

It was sharp and defined, along with his dark sunglasses.

He slowly lifted a single finger, and suddenly the man and the security which were alert stepped aside immediately.

I smiled, without hesitation. I opened the car door and slid inside.

The air smelled expensive and now we were both quite a few inch apart.

He slowly removed his sunglasses slowly.

His eyes met mine, and for a brief second a wave of recognition flickered.

“Hello, Louis Gonzalez,” I said.

He stared at me and just like that his hus lips curved.

“How may I help you, young lady?” He asked.

He wasn't irritated, his eyes were filled with curiosity and I knew too well this was my cue.

Just then, my phone began to vibrate violently in hand.

I didn't bother to look at it, instead I pressed on the power button once and it went silent.

I kept my eyes locked on Louis.

And then I blurted.

“ I want you to marry me, Right now.”

The air in the car cooled almost immediately, the silence became louder and his expression— I didn't change.

But his eyes— they sharpened.

My phone, began to buzz again.

And again.

And again.

The moment I turned the screen up, Harry's name flashed across the screen.

“Are you not going to pick that?” He asked.

“Don’t bother.” I said, immediately silencing it.

Then I stared back at Louis who still had not taken his eyes off me.

“I'm sorry, but I can not fufil your wish..” his voice, sounded cold through the air.

Joan’s pov,

I laughed— Hard.

It felt like a joke, I tried to savour his ridiculous reply while keeping my composure.

Louis stared at me as if I had finally lost my mind— but I did care less.

And maybe I had already lost it.

“You are one crazy lady—” he murmured.

I tilted my head and smiled at him, and this time I was calm.

He slowly leaned back slightly. “You should step out of my car, I think I've given you enough time to show off your craziness.”

I smiled, without moving.

Instead, I lifted my wrist and checked the time as the air grew silent.

Then I slowly looked back at him.

“In the next thirty minutes,” I said evenly, “The press will flood this marriage house.”

His jaw tightened slightly as I continued.

“You may think it's for your benefit, but damn— do you know how many people want to watch you get humiliated? To watch the powerful Louis Gonzalez being stood up at the altar.”

The silence stretched as the air inside the car shifted.

“I'll give you twenty—five minutes,” I added. “Bask in it. Pretend everything is alright.”

I leaned in closer just enough for him to see there wasn't any trace of doubt in my eyes.

“But the moment you see the first reporter…” I smiled pointing towards the entrance to the marriage house.

“I'll be right there.”

Waiting.

Then I opened the door and stepped out

****

The staircase leading into the marriage registry felt strangely familiar, it felt like I was walking into a scene I had already watched unfold before.

Except this time, I was not an audience.

I was rewriting my faith.

The moment I stepped inside, I requested for a private office and within minutes, I was seated across from a registrar and a lawyer who had no idea they were about to witness a shift in history.

I glanced at my wristwatch again.

Twenty minutes had passed.

Just then, I noticed the first press vehicle turning into the driveway.

I smiled and whispered, “Right on cue.”

Within the next second, more cars began to follow and just like that the frenzy had begun.

Exactly how I remembered.

And then—

The door opened, I didn't bother to look up immediately.

I felt his presence.

Louis Gonzalez was standing by the doorway.

His reaction was composed and controlled, but he was no longer dismissive.

“I thought you weren't going to show up,” I whispered lightly.

The lawyer glanced between us in confusion, as he stepped in fully and closed the door behind him.

His eyes locked onto mine.

He wasn't irritated, nor was he angry.

He stared down at me, like he was assessing me.

“You're either insane,” he said quietly, “ or very certain.”

I smiled.

“Both.”

I slowly turned the contract towards him.

“Sign here,” I said, tapping the first page. “And here.”

The lawyer adjusted his glasses, hesitating but Louis?— he didn't hesitate.

He picked up the pen and for a brief second there, our eyes met again.

I smiled, nudged the book before staring at the lawyer.

Right outside, the sound of distant shouting grew louder, I knew too well that the press had arrived.

He slowly lowered his pen to the paper and then he signed.

Once.

Then twice.

The sound of the final stroke felt louder than the chaos that was brewing outside.

I leaned back into my chair as I watched the ink dry up.

“Congratulations,” I said softly, still smiling.

The ink had barely dried when we both stepped out of the registrar's office.

The press had already begun to gather outside the gates, but we had bypassed them through the back exit.

Inside the car, the silence that followed was insane.

Louis removed his jacket slowly and folded it beside him.

I could feel his gaze on me, it felt measured and calculated.

“How,” he began, his voice was even, “did you know—”

“Thank you,” I cut in smoothly.

“For what?” He paused.

“For getting married to me.”

I watched the corner of his mouth twitch slightly, without amusement and interest.

I crossed my legs calmly and smiled back.

“I'll lay down the plan,” I continued. “Take this like a two—way street.”

“I scratch yours while you scratch mine.” I added.

He didn't interrupt me this time.

“First of all, your bride won't be coming, and that's the main reason you got stood up and also I know there's a reason you agreed to marry the woman your parents chose for you,” I said.

“And what's that?” He muttered.

“Influence and maybe a merger perhaps.”

His eyes darkened slightly

“I think you should let your parents know,” I added

“Anout what?”

“That you found a better option.”

The air stood still as he stared at me, then he asked quietly, breaking the brief silence.

“Who are you?”

I didn't stutter, instead I turned to face him fully.

“Joan Montclaire.”

His eyes widened as he stared at me.

“Hold on, are you not meant to be Harry Valmont's bride for tomorrow.”

“Oh. you heard “ I said, smiling.

“But either way, I am now a Gonzalez.”

I guess that did it.

For the first time since I entered his car, something shifted behind his eyes— followed by a smirk.

He nodded slowly and the rest of the ride passed up in a thoughtful silence.

The moment we pulled up in front of my house, he stepped out first and opened the door for me. But before I could move away, his hand suddenly caught my waist. Before I could react, his lips brushed mine.

I didn't hesitate— I pushed him away instantly.

“What was that for?” I muttered.

“Damn— who says I can't kiss my wife.” He said, swiping the side of his lips.

“Really, right outside my house?”

“Don’t be ridiculous, Joan, I'll have my people come pick you up tomorrow—so I think you need to get your things ready.”

I laughed—hard.

“Are you serious? Who told you I'll be free, I do have a wedding to attend tomorrow— so don't bother, I'll let you know once I'm free.”

“And if I may ask, whose wedding is that?”

“Mine,” I answered with a smile.

“What¿.” He was about to protest, but I smiled, winked and waved at him before walking straight to my front door.

****

The moment I entered the house, the air had already shifted.

Harry was already there.

waiting.

Fuming.

“Where were you?” He demanded, his tie was loosened and his expression was tight and filled with irritation.

In my previous life, that tone would have made me nervous.

But now, it bored me.

I yawned lightly.

“I had a few errands to attend to,” I said casually, walking past him towards the stairs.

“Joan!” He snapped.

I paused halfway up and looked back at him, his face was barely unreadable.

“I've had a long day,” I said calmly. “ And by the way, tomorrow is our wedding and I need my sleep.”

His jaw clenched, as I could clearly see the anger in his eyes.

I didn't wait for another word, I walked to my room and closed the door.